Hello everyone! I am so happy to see so many reviews and followers! I was so surprised at the amount! I danced and squealed like a fangirl, much to my boyfriends amusement. I hope you all enjoy this chapter! There is a lot in it and I had to stop where I did so I could break it up a bit. I hope you like the first part, it was a plot bunny that took off with me. Thanks again to everyone and those who shared my story, that's so amazing for a writer to hear.
I don't own the characters but this story is mine!
Enjoy
Anavas88
Gifts in the Eyes of the Beholder
Molly used her magic to quickly seam her daughter's dress. It had ripped again, as she was much like her brothers, wild and carefree. Smiling, she laid the garment on her daughter's bed mat, letting her hand slide down the cloth to keep it from wrinkling.
Their cave was medium sized, many of her boys having to have shared small rooms over the years. They did not complain too much. Poor Ginny had slept in their room for a good portion of her younger years, until Arthur could afford to have the cave extended again.
Bill, Charlie, and Percy had shared a room, and her younger three had been forced to do the same. When Bill and Percy moved into their own caves things almost seemed empty. Charlie and Ron were leaving her next. At least she would get lots of grandbabies.
She stood, it was time to prepare supper, she had some corn to chuck and some dear to stew. There were many mouths to feed after all.
Molly loved being a mother, something she had always wanted to be. She was an omega, and it was in her nature to be nurturing and kind. She had raised seven children from birth, and she had, in her own mind, considered an eighth her own as well.
She had never minded the extra mouth to feed, nor would she had minded the work it would have added to her life if she had truly adopted him. Not when those large green eyes looked up at her, so innocent yet world weary. She remembered it clearly after all these years; the day she had met him.
It had been so many years ago now, Harry was 17, like her Ronnie. Back then he had been only six.
Molly had been foraging on the outskirts of the forest. Mostly for berries and mushrooms. It was getting closer to the winter months when the great isolation would force them all within their caves until spring thawed the snows. So, any type of food she could bundle was welcomed.
She had made her way across the large plain that separated their village from forbidden forest. Not that it was forbidden per say, only forbidden to enter during certain times, like the Hunt, which came every year. Only unmated omegas and alphas could enter it then.
She approached the tree line, the large trees shadowing the surrounding area. She lifted her bag higher up on to her shoulder and stepped into the darkness. It was rather dark in the forest. She could still see but the trees blocked much of the sun light.
Humming to herself she foraged for anything she could find this close to winter. The smell of wet soil fermented the air. It had rained last night, which meant the ground was wet and slippery.
Molly took her time, she had plenty of it today. She had no desire to slip and break her neck. Plus, she was rather good at magic, so she did not often have to endanger herself to collect things to eat.
Her magic was mostly typical, she could do sewing or mending, as well as cleaning magics. So, it was rather a surprise to most that she was a dab at levitation. Really, after raising six rambunctious boys and a very tenacious girl it was not that unthinkable that she had a few tricks up her sleeves.
When her twin boys pulled pranks on their siblings, something rather normal in their cave, she would often lift them up to the ceilings until they would once again apologize.
She did it subconsciously too. Such as when she would levitate a ceramic bowl out of the way of her two youngest as they toddled after each other, or when she had to separate the sharp tools of her oldest children out of the hands of her curious child Percy.
Yet, many times she would use it to find good herbs or food. Like right now. She had been lucky to find them, and only because she had heard the rush of water and decided she would stop for a drink.
She was currently levitating mushrooms from the ledge of a stream. She was much too big a person to climb onto such a precarious place.
Molly was lightly humming again as she floated the tasty fungi into her handy shoulder sack. She stopped and checked how many she now had, counting them carefully, realizing she probably could do with a few more. Glancing up Molly felt her heart stop. A shadow was crawling across the ledge.
At first her body entered a customary 'flight' or 'fight' mode. She did not know if it was friendly or a hungry acromantulas. The creature did not seem to be facing her, so she breathed deeply and prepared too stealthily back away.
Then a bit of sunlight leaked through the trees. She gasped. It was a human. A human child.
Her gasp alerted the child to her presence and a head full of wild black hair jerked towards her. Molly had a flash of bright green eyes full of fear, before the poor thing slipped, tumbling over the ledge.
Acting purely on instinct, and with no finesse, the mother of seven threw her hands, and her magic, out towards the swiftly falling child.
Molly's heart was rapidly beating, her breaths coming out in straining gasps. Her arms were trembling with anxiety and tension. The child was floating above the drop, the bright green eyes now filled with astonishment.
Without thought Molly jerked all her magic towards her, with everything she had left. Then the small body, with wild raven locks, was speeding for her. They collided and Molly fell back to the ground in an 'oof!"
They had landed in a pile of wet leaves, but they were both alive. Molly laid their for a moment, letting her heart return to normal, ignoring the wetness leaking into her clothing.
Molly's arms were full of the little one. She could feel the small body trembling, and gasping pants reached her ears. She let her mother instincts take over, and cradled the form to her chest, softly cooing and petting the youngster's back in comforting strokes. She pulled off a few slimy leaves and twigs as she did so.
"Now, none of that, your alright little one." She soothed. A hitched broken sob could be heard. Smiling, she let the child cling to her, as the youth was obviously spooked. The poor thing looked like they were four years old. Why was such a young one wondering these forests alone?
"That's it, you're ok." Molly said, as the child finally seemed to calm, a head full of unruly dark hair lifted and Molly was met with the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen.
A boy, yes, the child was a boy. His skin was lightly tanned, his eye lashes dark and long, and those eyes were large and so very innocent looking. Innocent looking, but weary. Like the eyes of someone who had seen the cruelties of the world. Her heart pinged.
"M'sorry" A whispered voice hesitantly stated. His hands curled into her dress. She felt like one hand held something within it. The boy was holding it strangely.
"That's alright sweetie, now tell me…what's your name?" She asked, smiling down at him. He ducked his head, his face flushed. Shy, like so many that young. "It's alright, I don't bite, not little ones like you, my twin boys though, they might deserve a nibble, always making messes of the family cave." She was happy to see a small smile on his face.
"Har.." He muttered. "Harry." He glanced up, then quickly looked back down, audibly swallowing.
"What a wonderful name!" Molly exclaimed. "Hello Harry. My name is Molly!"
"Hello Mrs. Molly" The child, called Harry greeted. His cheeks were so red, Molly could only watch in fondness. Children really were adorable at this age. Again, the worry invaded her mind. Why was he out here?
"Now Harry," he ducked his head down again, his bottom lip in his small teeth. "Is there a reason you were climbing up there, and why are you out here on your own? It is quite dangerous for a young one to be in this forest." She carefully chided, trying to keep her voice soft, the boy looked ready to bolt.
Harry looked mortified, he peered over at the ledge, his eyes scanning the mushrooms Molly had been collecting not ten minutes ago.
"I thought you had finished; you had stopped using your magic to get the mushrooms." He finally answered, appearing ashamed of himself, though Molly was not sure if it was because he had been wrong or because he had been out where he wasn't supposed to be.
Molly felt confused. He had been watching her forage and had waited until she had finished before trying to get some food himself. Why though?
"Is that what you have in your hand dear? A mushroom?" Trying to wrap her mind around the thought a young one was out here on his own. The boy blushed again, shaking his head quickly. He held out his hand and she noticed the the green shell of a hazelnut.
"Ooh!" The boy flinched at the sound. Rubbing his back soothingly she smiled "Now wherever did you find that?! It so near to the winter months they are starting to become scarce!" The boy blinked before shyly smiling at her, he then pointed over to the small outcrop he had fallen from that held the mushrooms they had both been collecting.
"I found some growing on a bush and I thought I would try them. They-they look like something someone can eat." Molly squinted and could see the bush the boy had pointed out. She didn't see any nuts, but it was far away and maybe the nuts were deep within the leaves.
"Ah I see, you have a better eye than me dear!" The child ducked his head again, his smile growing, obviously proud. Molly noticed that his little hand was gripping the nut hard. Worry entered her mind again.
"Harry," She asked hesitantly, "Its not safe for you to be in here, your much too young." She explained. "Someone else should be collecting the food." A sudden thought came to mind.
"Did you want to help, is that why?" Some younger children were always wishing to help, often bringing water to those in the fields or helping to watch over the communal chicken coops, but they were never allowed out into the main forests, especially alone.
"I'm not too young!" Harry denied. Smiling Molly wondered if this were a case of a younger sibling wanting to prove themselves to their older siblings that they could be useful too. Maybe even a friend had dared him to traverse the forest trails.
"Now dear, if you want to help, there are plenty of things you can do. I know you want to grow up faster but your only four once and – "
"I'm not four!" Harry interrupted, looking mutinous, like all children who were thought of as younger than they were. "I'm Six, almost seven soon!" Molly's mouth dropped.
She would not have put him a day over four. He was so tiny. Only briefly did she think he might be fibbing, but it didn't look feel like he was boasting.
"Oh…I'm sorry Harry dear, I did not mean to assume." She looked the boy over; he really was way too skinny and small for one that age. Her Ronnie was only slightly older, and he was a head taller! He was tinier than her littlest child, Ginny!
"Its ok, I'm used to it." The boy huffed, adorably so Molly could not help but think. He then crossed his thin arms.
"Now, six is really not that much older than four sweetie." She remarked, smirking as the boy huffed again.
"I'm almost seven!" He reminded her. The mother of seven might have taken it more seriously if he had not been still sitting on her, covered in mud. Laughing Molly just shook her head.
"Yes, seven, but seven is still too young to be on your own in the forest, I would never allow my child out here alone either, its not safe." She explained. Molly wondered which family this one belonged to, she would need to alert them to the boy's wonderings, in case he came out again.
"My uncle and aunt told me too." Now that brought Molly up short. She shook her head, clearly the boy was not serious.
"They did! They said that now that I'm near enough seven I have to do more to earn my keep! I can' t always be expecting them to have enough for me." He explained vehemently.
Molly felt her heart twinge again. Surly they had not said that. Swallowing she glanced up and down the boy once more.
Too thin frame, too small body, and if you looked closer, the boy had dark circles under his tired eyes. His fingernails were filthy, and she could see he was covered in scratches from the trees. Who would let their child wonder these forests?
"Why…Why do they believe that you should…" She forced the question out, "…earn your keep?"
"Cause I'm not theirs, and I'm odd." Harry explained. "Lot's more trouble than they need." Harry's eyes got wide, like he hadn't meant to say all that, then he glanced back down, his early shyness renewed. "They have their own…perfect boy already." He finished in a whisper.
Molly was reeling, and her stomach felt so sick. That was not right! No child should be made to feel lesser than another. How dare they!
The boy moved, and then Molly felt something fall into her lap. She glanced down and gasped.
Mushrooms! The boy really had been collecting them. She could also see more nuts, and berries. Her eyes narrowed down on them but was happy to notice none were poisonous. Berries and mushrooms could be deadly if you did not know which to pick.
"They take care of me, give me a place to sleep, but I have to take care of some of it." He explained. Molly got the impression that he was trying to convince her.
He looked so tired, and frightened. Her instincts were screaming for her to bundle him up and care for him.
So, she did.
She lifted him into her arms, he weighed nothing. She ignored his indigent squeak and stood up. She'd need a bath before she slept tonight, she was covered in mud.
"Alright!" She said loudly. Her voice echoing through the trees. "I'll be having a word with your family then." The boy froze in his squirming, his eyes wide.
"No!" He shook his head for emphasis. "Really Mrs. Molly, its fine!" She smirked up at him. The boy shivered, the smirk sending warning signals to his brain. Molly wasn't one to be trifled with. It was a smirk all her children, and husband, were painfully familiar with.
"But…" he tried again.
"NO buts!" She cut him off, her no nonsense motherly demeanor in full swing. "In the meantime, I will show you how to properly forage for food."
"What?!" Harrys gasped out, non plussed. Molly sat him back down, staring sternly but warmly down at him.
"That's right! It's the duty of every omega to help a child who needs guidance, its just your luck you got caught by me." She grinned at him. Harry's mouth just hung open; he was at a lost for words.
"Now then," She picked up his mushrooms, slipping them into her bag, when she saw his defeated look she sent him a wink, then slipped the sack off her shoulders, throwing it over Harry's.
"First off, let's get your bag filled with as much as we can, I'll show you where all the good places are to forage, and what is editable and medicinal." Harry blinked rapidly between the sack and the red headed omega. Molly realized he had not expected the gift.
She cut him off before he could finish opening his mouth, most definitely trying to return it by the look on his little face and started her lecture.
"On that note, I'll teach you proper places someone your age can find food, and no more dangerous ledge climbing young man." She shook her finger at him.
Harry followed along, unable to talk or stop her tirade. Something all her children learned at some point. There was no use talking back to Molly in mother mode. In the end, the boy, though a bit overwhelmed, was happy to have met the mother of seven.
It had been a strange meeting, but one she never regretted having. Yes, Molly thought, that boy was a hand full even in the beginning, but he became hers from that moment on.
Molly shook her thoughts of the past out of her mind. Thinking now of the present. Harry had never returned from the forests after the hunt. Unless he was accidently killed or even injured, which she highly doubted as he was highly adept in the forest now, then he had been bonded to an alpha.
She could only hope that the boy she had adopted into her heart and family was happy, and maybe one day she would meet him again.
She wondered what type of alpha would be able to catch their Harry. Glaring down at the corn she was shucking; she made a vow. So, help me, if the alpha ever hurts her child, she will skin him alive! Then feed him to the giant spiders!
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Harry enjoyed the food set out for the group. There were slices of cooked lamb, that melted in his mouth. Bowls of fruit that must have been imported from the southern regions, as he highly doubted one could get oranges this time of year around here. Cooked vegetables that had the delicious smell of butter and garlic wafting from their dishes. Then there was the tea, floral and rich. He could drink it for ages, and never tire.
He lifted a slice of still warm bread, lathering it with the butter that must have had a cooling charm on it. Harry had of course had butter before, but it was a luxury that only those with time and proper magic could enjoy. Fleur had brought some back from her home for the red heads to enjoy a few times. Her family was quite high up in society. Molly had loved cooking with it as had Harry when invited. He was always happily invited.
Harry hummed around the taste; it was so good. The bread was divine, but the butter! Yes, he could easily get used to the butter. A small snort alerted him to his surroundings. He opened his eyes and stared into the silver eyes of the alpha he had found amusing at the start of the hunt ceremony.
The blond alpha had been nothing but kind, if a little snarky, since being introduced fifteen minutes ago. His mother, Narcissa, had been very excited to meet Harry and not just because he was another omega. She honestly seemed delighted that Tom, her lord, but also her long-time friend, had found his mate.
Being so legit she had effortlessly gotten Harry to warm to her.
Harry stared at the blond, but he did not seem to be the one to have snorted at him. Honestly, the man looked unsure and slightly anxious. Harry did not blame him considering the looks he was others around the small table were all trying desperately not to laugh.
The sound of mirth had most likely come from the black-haired guard, Sirius. He seemed to be the one least likely to hide any joy he got out of the situation. Remus, another guard, smacked the man across his head.
Severus, who sat off to the side, slightly away from the main table for some reason, looked to be enjoying the atmosphere a bit too much as well. Not that one could clearly see it. His face was impassive. There! Severus's eye twitched! Harry had made it a game to pick up any and all facial expressions the man might make.
The room was so bloody tense Harry was sure someone could cut it with a knife. Draco kept glancing at his father trying to figure out what he had done wrong. Harry felt sorry for him.
The reason for this was Tom. The older alpha had his arm curled around Harry in an obvious sign of possession. If the omega attempted to move the arm would follow. Though Tom was pleasant enough in his speech, his eyes would narrow down into slits every time the younger alpha dared to move.
Harry rolled his eyes in expiration. Draco swallowed, then reached over for the sugar to add to his second cup of tea. He must have come too close to the omega for Tom's liking. The older alpha had let out an audible growl, while squeezing Harry against his frame. The blond man jerked back, his face pale.
Frustrated, Harry elbowed his bonded, hard, right into the stomach he was pressed against. His alpha let out a pained gasp of air.
"What was that for?" Tom asked incredulously. Harry glared at him.
"For being an ass." He replied, his face non plussed. The alpha blinked, confused. At that moment, everyone else broke. Laughter and snorts could be heard throughout the tent. Tom looked around, glaring at them all.
"I'm yours, so stop scaring my possible new friend." Harry said softly into his alpha's ear. Only loud enough for Tom to hear. Tom perked up at that declaration, and finally settled, though he may have slipped his arm back around his omega's shoulder.
Harry let him, with another roll of his eyes. He wasn't that upset about it to be honest. He liked being wanted. He just wanted to also make a new friend. Smiling over at the blond, who looked curious but still a bit nervous, Harry nodded at him in apology.
"So, Draco, right?" Harry asked, trying to break the ice. "Your Lucius's son?" He had met Lucius over the last couple of days, though he had known the man all of his life since he always spoke at The Hunt.
"That's right." Draco replied, a small smile in his voice. He was obviously proud of his father. Said father looked on with parental pride. Harry wondered what it would be like to have someone with him all the time that looked at him in the same way. He shook that thought from his mind, as he had Molly and Arthur and they always made him feel like their own.
"You did not seem happy to be joining the hunt this year?" It was both a statement and a question. Draco groaned and shook his head.
"Hardly, waste of time if you ask me." Harry chuckled at the griping.
"I thought that was going through your mind when I saw you there."
"Our Draco already has his eye on someone." Lucius put in, his smirk teasing. His son blushed and glared back at him. Tom stilled beside Harry. The omega glanced between him and then over to Lucius, who gave a swift wink.
"Oh! Will I get to meet them?" Harry asked, catching on to Lucius's plan. "Are they not an omega?"
"She hasn't presented yet, but I do not care if she were a beta or an omega, Astoria is the only one I plan to bond to." Draco said with finality.
Harry beamed at him. Glad that the typical 'alphas/omega must pair' tripe was not as important to him. If an alpha found a beta to bond with, they wouldn't have to participate in the hunt, but many looked down on those that did. It was ridiculous.
"That's great, she must be an amazing person." Draco puffed up.
"She is, she is beautiful but also extraordinarily talented. She makes clothing that everyone wants, remarkably durable and full of magic." Draco practically gushed. Looking around Harry could see his mother, father and the others all looking on fondly. They had the looks of people who have heard all this before many, many, many, times.
"Her whole family have the gifts of needlework." Narcissa explained when Draco had stopped to take a breath. "Her sister is also rather talented, but Draco only has eyes for young Astoria." She lightly teased. Draco flushed again but did not deny it.
"I'm glad she has someone so devoted." Harry told Draco, who preened. Tom finally seemed to relax next to Harry. Obviously more comfortable with the unmated alpha since he had a strong commitment. Harry gave Lucius a smile of gratitude over his cup of tea. The older blond just winked again. He was obviously enjoying seeing his lord act in such a way.
"My Lord, everything is ready for tomorrow's ceremony." Lucius put in a few minutes later, having finished his dinner. He lifted a cloth and dabbed his lips with it. Harry thought the man was rather regal.
"All the…gifts, are also ready." Tom smirked. Harry glanced up at him, wondering at the tone.
"You're still willing to…honor my…adoptive family?" Harry asked in small voice.
"Of course, darling." Tom assured, kissing his cheek. "That was never in any doubt. However," He glanced over at Severus who had been his quiet self. The healer really did not know how to approach Harry and Tom was not going to push the man. The dark eyes met his and an understanding passed.
"However?" Harry inquired, confused. Harry worried his lip, thinking Tom was unsure about honoring Molly and family. He knew it wasn't usually done, honoring an adoptive family that had not even housed him. His alpha slid his fingers through Harry's hair, and down his back, reassuring hm.
"Your family will receive high honor, for loving you so greatly." Tom smiled down at hm. Harry relaxed. "However, your…" The alpha's eyes flashed. "Relatives." Harry shivered; the alpha went back to rubbing his back in soothing motions.
"Your relatives will receive their own type of…honor…for their…. care." He said this all viciously. Harry stared wide eyed, wondering what the alpha could mean.
"You're not…you're not going to kill…hurt them, are you?" He amended the words, but Tom caught them. Vaguely he knew that an alpha had a right to demand the death of anyone that harmed his omega in such ways, but he didn't' want them killed.
Tom glanced over at Severus again, knowing the man would be all to happy to execute the family, just like Tom so wished to do. He wouldn't though.
"Hurt them…possibly in the long run they will hurt themselves." He kissed his omega on the lips. "But do not fear darling, I merely mean to make them…somewhat uncomfortable." If he could make their lives miserable for a while, then it would staunch some of his anger.
Harry stared up at him, his eyes calculating but eventually he accepted it.
"Alright." He sat back to enjoy the rest of the dinner. These people were much more welcoming than he thought they would be. He smiled. He hoped Molly, Arthur and the whole family would love the gifts Tom had gotten them. He tried not to think of Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley.
Instead, he sat back and allowed his alpha to slip his arm tighter around him. He enjoyed the soft chatter of the people who would become his family and friends in time. If he had another slice of warm bread with butter, no one mocked him for it.
TRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRT
Tom glanced over at his entourage. Severus and Lucius were sticking close. They rode within their lord's carriage with Tom and his mate. They usually were with him during ceremonies and important events. Lucius was his top advisor, his second in command. Severus was his high healer and a master at potions. People came from all over to study under him. He of course, would travel with Tom in case he was needed.
Sirius and Remus were two of five guards that encircled their group. They happened to be the closest. Sirius would wink a Severus through the window from time to time. Making the alpha roll his eyes. Regulus, Sirius's younger brother, was only a little farther back, riding with Barty and Marcus. They were the rear guard, while Sirius and Remus were the outskirts. They all rode on horses to keep up with the cart.
"My lord, we've alerted the village of Surrey of your impending ride, the whole of the town has congregated at the center to greet you and your new bonded." Tom nodded to the chief of his guards, Orion. He was not just the father to Sirius and Regulus but someone Tom had always respected. He had constantly looked out for him when he was younger. Unlike his own father.
"Thank you, Orion." He replied. The man had ridden up on a horse to deliver his message through the window, now he trotted off to join the welcoming guard at the village.
Tom had set up their encampment at the edge of the village, against the edge of the forest so they could hunt for food and wash at the rivers within. Though, the perks include being far from many of the other's who had come to Surrey. They were mostly packed up and ready to journey back to Hogwarts. The rest of the camp were slowly finishing their packing while they rode into the village for the honoring ritual.
Tom looked towards his bonded once more, he was sitting beside him. Harry's face was mostly passive, but every once in awhile he would bite his lower lip and squeeze the bottom of his ceremonial robes. They were signs that the poor omega was much more anxious than he wanted others to know.
The lord leaned over and took one of his mates fisted hands into his own, squeezed it gently then brought it up to his lips. Harry had gasped when his hand was grabbed but now, he looked in wonder as his alpha tenderly kissed his knuckles.
That he could make the man look so astonished and happy, made the alpha feel smug, if he preened, well, that had to do with his instincts.
Harry's snort showed what he thought of that. Smiling, Tom kissed his forehead and looked out the window and over at the two carts that were being pulled along behind them.
The smile turned almost vicious. He had plans today. He had many years to think of the appropriate gifts to bestow on his mate's family. He never thought he would amend them. Then again, he never thought his mate would have two 'families." A part of him wondered if he would ever even find a mate.
"My lord, lord consort, please step this way." Harry's eyes grew wide. Giving the omega another soothing squeeze to the hand, Tom stepped from the carriage and gently helped him from his seat. Harry breathed in deeply, then let it out slowly. His shoulders relaxed and he stood taller.
Tom was so proud of his omega. He kissed the man's forehead again, then waited for Lucius to announce them. He was already walking towards the center of the platform. Severus gave Harry and Tom a reassuring nod, his face softer than usual in Tom's opinion, before joining Lucius.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPPHPH
"Our lord would like to give gratitude to the village of Surrey for granting us another wonderful stay within this beautiful land." The blond began. This was unusual to many as their lord never stayed long enough to give thanks, but there were rumors that he had finally found a mate. Not many really believed this though.
The village of Surrey was medium outcrop of caves. The grotto system circled in a crescent moon shape around a large expanse of grassy plains. The edge fo the stone just touching the tree line, while the other edge, the top of the moon, set at the entrance to the village proper. Fields of corn and other vegetables and fruits were in the distance, the small cleared out spot in front of the forest and dais had enough space for every inhabitant to congregate.
Lucious now stood on the platform that was used during The Hunt or for other special occasions. The crowd below him were excited if the noise had anything to go by it.
"Now, our powerful lord is beyond grateful, however he is disinclined to return next year." There were gasps from the crowd. Tom rolled his eyes, chuckling at his friend's dramatics.
"Now, now, we should be glad, for a tremendous thing has happened! Our dearest leader has finally found one worthy to stand beside him!" The gasps and chattering grew louder.
"Yes, yes, it is a grand day! Our lord has found an omega! Please let me introduce you to our lord and his lord-consort!" There were cheers and hollers clearly heard. That this year their lord would finally find a mate, that they were here to witness the event.
"Come darling, the masses await us." Tom brought his mate's hand up and circled the man's arm around his own. They walked up towards the platform. Harry snorted at Tom's remark but allowed the alpha to escort him, his back straight, even though his heart was beating rapidly.
"Our lord, and lord consort!" At the introduction they stepped out into the open, the sunlight hitting them as they crested the dais. Harry forced himself to stand proudly beside his new alpha. His anxiety hidden completely to everyone who did not know him well, which were very few indeed.
"Harry!"
"Oh, my goodness!"
"HIM!"
"It can't be!"
"What!"
"Woot, that 'a boy Harry!"
"I'm so proud!"
Harry smiled, he could clearly hear the red heads in the crowd, the last haven been yelled by the loving matriarch. He felt his heart swell. Not everyone in the crowd screamed his praise, but those that mattered were cheering for their bond, not against it. That was all that mattered in the end.
Of course, his aunt's screech, his uncle's bellow and his cousin's whine could also be heard. Harry tried not to let it bother him. Surprisingly, Tom did not react to them, beyond a stiffing of his body and a squeeze to his arm that is.
Even more astonishing was the soft dark growl to the side of him. Glancing over his shoulder Harry was shocked at the anger and loathing on the high healer's face. Severus was staring daggers at his relatives. He wondered why their responses bothered him to such a level. Undeniably, his family usually got a reaction, but this seemed more than the usual.
The dark-haired alpha looked ready to maim them, or possibly skin them alive. He visibly snarled at one point, when Sirius, who had followed them up on the plate from, laid a hand on his shoulder.
The beta shook his head and whispered into his ear. The alpha glared back. Sirius smirked and said something that made the healer viciously grin, with all his teeth.
Then suddenly Remus, who had a approached the two from behind, murmured quietly to them. The three looked over to Harry and Tom, Severus catching the omega's eye.
The man seemed so emotionless most of the time, but his eyes were full of something Harry could not name. The alpha inclined his head in the omega's direction. Harry nodded back; glad the man had calmed down. Tom pulled his attention back to the front with his next words.
"Thank you for your welcome," He raised his free hand while he spoke. Harry marveled at how the alpha could capture so many people's attention. They ate up his words.
"Although tradition dictates today's ritual, it is my great privilege to honor my mate's families." Harry realized he had used the plural form for family. He wondered if others realized this too.
"Will Vernon, Petunia and Dudley of Surrey Village please step forward." Harry gave him a sharp look. Wondering about what he planned to do. He let it go, expecting that tradition would force Tom to honor them too.
His biological family of course strutted to the front, their heads high, a look of pure arrogance on their faces. Harry could not understand why they presented themselves this way. It was plain distasteful. They looked back over the crowd, obviously looking down their noses at everyone in the vicinity.
Shame coursed through his body. He hated conceitedness, he hoped others did not view him in the same way. A hand lightly touched his elbow.
"You are not them; they are not you. Stand proud Harry." The soft yet masculine voice whispered. Harry starred up at his alpha and the red eyes held only truth. "They do not represent you, no, you are your own being."
The omega forced his shoulders back and stared straight into the crowd, he was proud to be standing there. It had been many years since he stopped letting those people dictate his being. He was not going to restart that now.
"I know that." Harry muttered back. He gave his alpha a swift side smile. "Sometimes I do forget it, so thank you for reminding me." Tom smiled down at him.
"Always my darling, always." Tom gazed back towards the crowd as well.
"Now, I believe I mentioned 'families' Harry is special enough to garner another family." Tom's voice carried above the crowed. Harry beamed, overjoyed that his alpha would keep his promise.
"I would like to honor Harry's heart family, the ones who have adopted my dear Harry as their own." Tom started. "Will Arthur, Molly of Surrey Village and their children and mates please step forward."
"What!?" Screeched Petunia.
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As the vile harpy screeched her confusion Tom could only grin sharply, his teeth on full display. He got vindictive glee out of seeing their humiliation. For as she screeched, others looked on in disgust, how dare she looked shocked that their lord would think to honor another. She had no right to question him.
Petunia flushed a blotchy red, embarrassment was a good color for her complexion in Tom's opinion. When Vernon tried to loudly bolster, the horse faced woman smacked his chest and shook her head. Clearly shame was a good motivation to keep their mouths shut.
He felt his arm being squeezed in a vice like grip, looking down he noticed the worry lines on his dear omega. That would not do. The younger man was worried, worried that his biological family would shame his real family. Tom would not allow it.
Patting his mate's hand softly, he turned back to the crowd, forcibly changing his sharp grin into a softer smile. Luckily, everyone had been enthralled with the hideous display and hadn't looked at their benevolent leader. They might have been scared off.
"Please will you step forward; Harry and I wish to also honor you and your delightful family." The Matriarch, Molly, from what Harry told him, glanced briefly towards her alpha, who looked as shocked as she was. It was the twins that stepped forward first, smiling and laughing like they had been at the caravan.
"Oh Harry, our dearest little brother, you have gone and made the family proud!" One of them yelled up. Harry chuckled.
"Thanks George!" The rest of the family quickly joined them. Molly looked unsure but smiled happily at the Tom's omega, her eyes full of tears.
Harry grinned back, his eyes also slightly damp. Obviously, this meant more to him than even Tom knew. He puffed his chest out, though he would deny it, in pride that he had brought his Omega to this happy moment.
He noticed another taller red head waving energetically up at Harry. Tom remembered him at the Hunt. Beside him, also waving animatedly, was a bushy haired omega. Harry seemed extra thrilled by the two.
The most surprising of the lot was that one of the red heads, an alpha, was holding the hand of a blond omega. An omega Tom knew quite well. He glanced over to Lucius who had an eyebrow up in shock. Daphne, it seemed had mated to one of Harry's family during the hunt.
"Congratulations Ron, Hermione!" Harry called out. "And Charlie, you had better introduce me!" The man grinned widely, his freckled hand rubbing at his neck.
"I'm sure I will." He replied.
"Oh Harry! I'm so happy for you." Molly tearfully said, her smile so big it was a wonder it fit her face. Tom liked her immensely as it was obvious, she cared for Harry a great deal.
"Now that you have all assembled, we have the gifts!" Two small horses drawn carts came into the clearing. Both held the same amount of gifts, the same type of objects, yet neither were the same quality. Tom smirked.
"Come darling, let's go down and meet with your family." Harry gave him a wide-eyed look. Chuckling, he gently guided his omega back down the dais and around to the front, where the group was gathered on the grass.
Tom then added some extra instructions to the two families.
"Please choose one of these carts for your family." Tom motioned. Flourishing his arm towards the gifts.
Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley gave each other quick convert glances, then walked up immediately. They were not about to be out done by the red headed invaders. After all they were the brat's true family and had been forced to raise him. They deserved to pick first.
Ignoring the gifts Molly and her broad rushed to Harry. Tom raised his eyebrow at the group, many of whom were practically hopping up and down in excitement. They were noticeably trying extremely hard not to jump them. Smirking he hugged his mate close then swiftly walked over to the mother of the family.
"Thank you for caring for my Harry all these years." He stated. The woman stared in awe for all of ten seconds before smiling, wiping a tear, and then giving him a stern look. Tom was a bit taken back by it.
"That was entirely a privilege, Harry is my son, our family." She exclaimed loudly. Tom stared in wonder at the woman, who stood proudly and without fear of him. He could see where his omega got his backbone. "Nothing will ever change that, so take special care of him, and make him happy." She threatened.
"Mol-Molly!" Harry croaked, his face red. The assembled redheads laughed. Smiling Tom bowed.
"Of course, Harry is special, and he will be happy, as happy. I promise you all that." Molly nodded, her hands on her hips.
"He had better." Or you deal with me. Went unsaid, but completely understood. Tom instantly admired the woman. At that moment, the mother seemed to snap. Her patience worn.
Molly threw her arms about Harry and squeezed him tightly. Far from being bothered the young man grinned happily and squeezed her back just as hard.
"You take good care of yourself and eat well and never forget to get a good night sleep, avoid ledges and for the love of Merlin do not forget to write me." Harry just agreed to everything.
"Oh, Harry I'm so happy for you!" As soon as Molly released him, Harry was immediately jumped by the bushy haired omega. Harry laughed and hugged her back.
"You too Herms you too!" The red head, Ron, if Tom could remember correctly, hugged them from behind, practically lifting them off the ground.
Charlie approached with Daphne and introduced her. "This is Daphne, Daphne this is my youngest brother, Harry, the one I told you about." Harry smiled, and the two omegas lightly took the other's hands, in the customary greeting between two omegas.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Daphne intoned, smiling gently.
"You as well, I have to say you have done us all a huge favor!" The blond blinked confused.
"Favor?" she asked, her head tilted sideways. Harry nodded seriously.
"You finally got this guy off our hands!" He told her in a fake whisper that carried to all the red heads and Tom.
"Oy!" Charlie choaked out. Laughing one twin threw his arm over his brother's neck.
"That's right, we can finally stop listening to the nagging."
"Ah the nagging." Said his twin brother, nodding sagely behind Harry.
"What!" Charlie growled.
"Oh, That nagging!" Ron chipped in. "It will really be heavenly without it."
"Can you all-"Charlie was interrupted by his youngest sibling, his sister.
"Yes, thank Merlin, If I had to hear mom ask when you were going to leave the cave and get yourself a nice mate and give her grandbabies one more time, I would have kicked you out myself!" She groaned.
Everyone burst out laughing. Even Molly was smiling, though she was understandably trying to hide it. Daphne smiled fondly at her alpha, who was flushing bright red. Tom knew that she loved big families and was happy to have been accepted into this one.
"I'm glad you had then in your life, Harry." Tom whispered into Harry's ear. His omega looked up at him, mirth clearly showing. Tom hoped he liked what he had planned. He wanted Harry to always look so happy.
"This one!" The group looked behind them. While they had been greeting each other and showing their continued care for Harry, the omega's biological family were tearing through the carts, looking at all the gifts. They had picked which cart they believed to be the best. It had all the fancier looking objects. More elaborate boxes and better designed blankets rugs.
Tom's lips curled in absolute revulsion. They were an embarrassment. They were not even aware that the crowds of people were tuttering and shaking their heads disgusted.
"I can't believe they would treat their own nephew so callously."
"Molly and Arthur are true parents, they are just…I can't even think of a good enough word for them!"
"All they care about are the gifts, they have an omega that was worthy of our lord, and this is how they treat him?"
"They deserve nothing for their attitude!"
The whispers were bountiful, much to Tom's satisfaction. From the smirks of most of the red heads, they were enjoying it too. Molly was glaring with pure rage at Harry's so-called relatives. Time for the next part of his plan.
"I see you have picked your gifts then?" He asked Vernon and Petunia. They stood by the cart with the most luxurious looking items. Large colorful rugs and gaudy looking pots and candle sticks, things that looked nice and caught the eye. Funnily they were the cheaper materials and would fall apart swiftly. The three grinned, giving the red headed family looks of derision, obviously thinking they had come out on top.
"Yes, our dear lord." Vernon bowed. Petunia gave an awkward one herself, Dudley following their example a minute behind them. "We thank you for your gifts, we will enjoy them greatly." He smirked.
Tom managed to keep his smile. He glanced over at Molly and Arthur, "Please help yourself to the other cart. I believe you should check the wooden box in the middle, I personally picked it out." Confused, Molly and Arthur approached. They both lifted the box and looked inside. They gasped.
"Dear me!" Molly exclaimed, inside was bundles of chocolate. More than her family had ever hoped to eat. She glanced up in pure shock. "This…we…."
"I am glad that you always shared your food and home with my Harry, he told me of the chocolates and wished to share some with you, I hope it brings you many happy memories." Molly's eyes filled with tears, she smiled brilliantly.
"We thank you for your kind offerings, our biggest gift however, was having sweet Harry in our lives, but we will honor these gifts in the benevolence they were given." Arthur said, hugging is bonded close. He winked at Harry who beamed back.
"Chocolate, mom, why didn't we pick that one?!" Dudley whined, his voice scratchy and childish. He loved chocolate; they had only ever been able to get a few every couple of months. More than others but still. Petunia looked livid but rose herself up haughtily. She had disregarded that cart because the box had seemed plain, now she looked foolish.
"But look at all the other things we get Duddy-kins." She waved her bony arm over the richly decorated blankets. "These are far better then something as droll as a messy treat."
"That's right son," Vernon boasted, "We will sleep like kings on these rugs." He chortled. Since Tom was the closest thing to a king in the area, he highly doubted that statement. He would not go near such tacky and trashy rugs.
Not that they knew that of course. He had known that they would pick that cart, so he put hidden gems within the other one. Of course, he made it fair, there was food inside their fancy box. Not chocolate, but cabbages. He should have made sure they were rotten. Oh well.
Harry glared at them, a look of exasperation on his face. Tom laid his hand on his shoulder.
"Everyone enjoys different things Mrs. Petunia." He gave her a look that clearly showed his displeasure. She paled.
"Now, on to the next part, I have another gift to offer these loving families." He smiled at the crowd, pulling them in.
So what do you think Tom's other gift will be? Do you like Tom's approach? Were you surprised by Charlie? I hope you all enjoyed it!
I am heading to Universal for the weekend, I'm super excited to finally ride Hagrid's ride and the new Raptor Coaster, Maybe I'll get some inspiration for my story with all the Harry Potter world around me. I feel for my mother and brother who are joining my boyfriend and I. My boyfriend has promised to quote extensively from the Harry Potter musical. I warned them, they should be dutifully aware of what awaits them. I may just join in...yep definitely gonna join him haha!
Until next time everyone!
Anavas88